Wayne Rooney will jet into Washington on Thursday, as his future at Everton becomes even more clouded.

Despite claims the former England captain is cutting short his Barbados holiday to sign for new MLS club DC United, the Blues veteran will travel to the US capital on a fact finding mission, as he now considers his options for next season.

Rooney is expected to be joined by wife Colleen as they look at the city and its accommodation, with the midfielder increasingly upset and frustrated that his club are keen to offload him this summer.

The player has been given blanket permission to speak to any interested parties, despite having a year left on his contract, with an option to extend for 12 months further.

But Everton have suffered heavy losses in the past year, with figures released at the AGM recently suggesting debts could be heading well beyond £50m, after the January outlay on Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun.

Rooney leaves Barbados airport on his way to Washington DC (Image: 143133-5)

Rooney will talk to clubs before determining where his future lies (Image: 143133-5)

Even more alarming for owner Farhad Moshiri is that under his direction since taking control of the club almost two years ago, player wages have virtually DOUBLED, leaving a top heavy, highly paid squad of almost 40 players.

New Director of Football Marcel Brands has indicated he is ready to cut the wage bill and offload many players who are surplus to requirements, as he attempts to clear the cluttered way to make important new signings this summer.

But that won't be easy, with several big stars earning beyond £100,000 a week – or £5m a year – and having no attraction for rival clubs.

Rooney stopped off in Miami on his way to Washington (Image: Splash News)

Rooney will speak to DC United before deciding his future (Image: Splash News)

The Everton striker's future remains up in the air (Image: Splash News)

Rooney though, is seen as a departure who could reduce the pressure on the wage bill, given he is reported to earn upwards of £7m a year, and Everton would not demand a fee if he left.

The player, who finished Everton's top scorer this season, believes he deserves more respect and better treatment than that, and that is why he is taking the unusual step of making a high profile trip to the States.

While DC United are hopeful he will sign, they are thought to be offering wages of around £3m a year, which would make it impossible for the player to join them unless Everton were prepared to pay him up to leave.

Rooney might have played his last game for Everton (Image: Getty)

Rooney could be saying goodbye to Goodison Park (Image: PA)

But there are added complications, with the deal that took him to Goodison thought to include some payments from former club Manchester United, which would boost his salary even further.

Sources close to the club see the link with DC as only the opening shot in what is likely to be a lengthy mission from the player's agent to get the best deal possible for his client – and that could see him go elsewhere, with other clubs interested.

Rooney though, will wait to listen to what any new Everton manager has to say, and his representatives will also listen to Brands, who will start in an official capacity next week.

If Marco Silva, as widely expected, is appointed, Rooney will hold talks before deciding his next move, and given he still has at least a year left on his contract, there is no guarantee DC will get their man.